Improvement in letter-boxes



i I I 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.; EDW'ARD MILL 8L 3. L. CHUBBUCK.

Improvement in Letter-Boxies.

. NQ'126J51. PatentedApril 30,1872.

AM. FHOTO-UTHOGRAPHIO an. u. z (assomvss PRUCESS) EDWARD MILL AND STEPHEN L; OHUBBUGK, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN LETTER-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,151, dated April 30, 1872.

' To all whom it may concern:

SPECIFICATION.

Figures 1 and 2 are side views of the box. Fig. 3 is a view of the inside from the top.

in the several views.

The object of this invention is to provide a box for the reception of mail matter, to be put up at some convenient place in front of a residence, and from which it maybe seen; and which box shall indicate by a certain sign, operated by mechanism, that it contains some mail matter, which sign can be read by those in the house, thereby saving the time and trouble of going to the box for the purpose of seeing whether there is anything therein.

Of said box and its operation the following is a more full and complete description:

In the drawing, A represents the body of the box, in one side of which is a door, B, Fig. 4, of which 0 is the lock. D is an arm, secured to the edge of the inside of the door, and to which arm is pivoted a finger, E. Said finger is allowed an upward movement from a horizontal line, and is held in a horizontal position by the pin a. The relative position of the arm and finger to the casing of the door is such that when the door is shut they will lap onto the casing, as shown in Fig 4, in which figure the door is represented as being closed. The purpose of said finger and arm will presently be shown. F, Fig. 4, is a dropdoor, hinged to the outside of the box, and in such relation to the letter-hole as to cover it.

when it is down, as shown in the drawing. Said hole is indicated by the dotted lines a, Fig. 1. On the opposite side of the box is a glass window, G, Fig. 2, which is covered on the inside by a sliding plate, H, Fig. Across the top of the box is journaled a shaft, I, Fig. 3. To said shaft is secured a curved lever, J, Fig. 4. One end of the lever descends to and under an arm, K, projecting from the slide H covering the window G, whereas the opposite end or arm of the lever ascends to and under an arm, L, projecting from the drop-door F, as

shown in said Fig. 4.

The practical operation of the above-described deviee is as follows: The condition of the box, as shown in the drawing, is such as when it contains no mail matter. In order to put therein a letter or other matter, the dropdoor is raised, as indicated by the dotted lines b, Fig. 4., thereby giving access to the letterhole in the side of the box. This lifting of the drop-door causes the arm L to depress the end of the lever J in contact therewith, and at the same time elevates the opposite end, which, being under the arm K, will raise the slide up, as indicated by the dotted lines 0. This liftingof the slide will bring to the window the word mail, printed on its lower part, but which is not seen when the slide is down. Said slide is prevented from dropping down on closin g the drop-door by the finger E referred to, which, on raising the slide, is pushed upward by an arm, M, Fig. 3, projecting from the side of the slide. The arm when passed above the finger drops down upon it on closing the dropdoor, and is thereby held up, showing the word mail through the window, which can be seen by those in the house, therebyinstructing them that there is something in the box. On opening the door B in order to obtain access to the inside of the box for the removal of its contents, the finger E is withdrawn from under the arm of the slide, which-will then drop down so far as to hide the word mail below the window. On again raising the drop-door F the short end of the lever J is depressed, and the opposite end correspondingly raised, thereby raising the 'slide and bringing once more the word mail into sight as before, and for the purpose above specified.

By the use of this box is readily known, by those in the dwelling, whether there is anything in it or not without going to the box for that purpose and the matter therein is protected from the weather, and also from being removed without first opening the door B for that purpose. 1

We are aware of the patent of J. A. Ryan, dated August 15, 1871, and the construction what is described and shown as the invention in said patent, as the construction above described and claimed as our invention is differcut, and produces a different result from that obtained in the patent above cited.

Claims.

What we claim as our invent-ion and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination of the drop-door F, with its arm L and pivoted lever J, with the slide therein described and claimed, and disclaim H having arm K, in the manner and for the purpose shown and described.

2. The door 13, arm D, and finger E, incombination with the arm M and slide H, in the manner substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

EDWARD MILL. STEPHEN L. OHUBBUOK.

Witnesses:

W. H. BURRLDGE, J. H. BURRIDGE. 

